Sedan and small car debuts quite tame at Detroit auto show

2016 Chevrolet Volt

What is it? A better-looking, faster Chevrolet Volt with more range, more conventional styling and a much improved interior. Performance as well as economy is up thanks, in part, to a 12 % efficiency bump in the electrical drivetrain, which is also about 45 kilograms lighter. The Volt now sits five and also now features GPS location-based charging which automatically configures charging parameters — eight amps versus 12, for instance — based on whether the Volt is “home” or “away.”

2016 Chevrolet Volt

Derek McNaughton, Driving

2016 Chevrolet Volt

Derek McNaughton, Driving

2016 Chevrolet Volt

Derek McNaughton, Driving

2016 Chevrolet Volt

Derek McNaughton, Driving

2016 Chevrolet Volt

Derek McNaughton, Driving

2016 Chevrolet Volt

Derek McNaughton, Driving

2016 Chevrolet Volt

Derek McNaughton, Driving

The all-new 2016 Chevrolet Volt gets a more upscale interior.

Handout, Chevrolet

2016 Chevrolet Volt

Derek McNaughton, Driving

2016 Chevrolet Volt

Derek McNaughton, Driving

GM is set to step up its autonomous car game very soon with a fleet of self-driving Volts.

Handout, Chevrolet

The 2016 Chevrolet Volt starts at $33,995 in the U.S. before any incentives.

Handout, Chevrolet

Why does it matter? Prognosticators thought GM might give up on the Volt (the current model is not exactly jumping off dealership floors; Chevrolet USA sold only 18,805 Volts last year despite a massive price reduction and incentives). Instead, every little bit of the 2016 Volt is new: a bigger 18.4 kW-h battery (with fewer cells for greater reliability), a new 1.5-litre backup engine with better fuel economy (5.7 L/100 km) when it kicks in, and a “premium” interior that includes a heated steering wheel and heated rear seats.

When is it coming? Look for the new version in early fall/late summer of this year.

Should you buy it? Yes, if you are looking to reduce your carbon footprint without the inconvenience of a pure EV. The Volt remains the best compromise between pure electrical driving (the 2016’s all electric range has been extended to 80 kilometres, up from 64 km). That said, you can get more car for less money and still get decent fuel economy by buying a Chevy’s own Cruze diesel or Volkswagen Jetta TDI. — David Booth

2015 Volvo S60 Cross Country

What is it?Volvo says it invented the “premium” crossover segment when it applied side cladding and jacked the V70 wagon up to give it some off-road ability. Subaru, however, might take issue with that claim. Well, Volvo is at it again with the S60 Cross Country (CC).

2015 Volvo S60 Cross CountryGraeme Fletcher /
Driving

Why does it matter? In this case, the sedan’s ride height has been upped by 65-millimetres. Visually, it puts much more space between the 18- or 19-inch wheels and the wheel arches, which are, again, capped off with a protective trim. It also improves the ground clearance to give it some off-road ability and benefits from Volvo’s advanced all-wheel-drive system, which, according to Volvo, gives it all-road ability.

In an interesting twist, the S60 CC will arrive with the company’s traditional 2.5-litre inline five-cylinder engine (250 hp) and not the Drive-E unit it has been touting so loudly of late — the 2.0L turbocharged four, which is the basis of all Drive-E powertrains, is available in the regular front-drive S60. The engine choice boils down to the need for said all-wheel-drive capability and the fact the system will not slide under the current platform without considerable work. It also makes do with six speeds and not the eight-speed automatic that’s the other integral part of the Drive-E philosophy. As an aside, Volvo also showed the S60 Inscription — it gets a 80-mm stretch in the wheelbase, all of which is dedicated to the rear seat riders.

2015 Volvo S60 Cross Country

Graeme Fletcher, Driving

2015 Volvo S60 Cross Country

Graeme Fletcher, Driving

2015 Volvo S60 Cross Country

Graeme Fletcher, Driving

2015 Volvo S60 Cross Country

Graeme Fletcher, Driving

When is it coming? When the 2016 S60 CC lands in Canada this summer it will arrive one way — the top-line Platinum model.

Should you buy it? Running with the five-cylinder engine rather than the Drive-E powertrain could hinder Volvo in the short term. There are already many capable crossovers and Volvo itself is readying the XC60 for launch, which does have the new Drive-E powertrain and all-wheel-drive. However, in the longer term with all models being replaced by 2018 (including the S90, which replaces S80, and a new S60) it will work out as planned. — Graeme Fletcher

Hyundai Sonata Plug-in Hybrid

What is it? Hyundai’s very first plug-in hybrid was revealed today in Detroit. the Sonata Plug-In Hybrid. According to the Korean company, the new Sonata PHEV is capable of up to 35 km of pure electric travel without resorting to the traditional internal combustion engine’s back up power.

2016 Hyundai Sonata Plug-in HybridHandout /
Hyundai

An all-new version of the existing Sonata Hybrid was also introduced, featuring hybrid-exclusive wheels, and aerodynamically improved front and rear fascias. The revised powertrain features a new 38 kw electric motor, and a new 2.0L four-cylinder producing 154 hp/140 lb. ft of torque.

According to Hyundai, the new Sonata Hybrid will achieve better fuel economy than the one it replaces. Active safety systems such as Lane Change Assist, Forward Collision Warning, Blind Spot Detection, Rear Cross Traffic Alert are all standard on the PHEV, and available as options on the Hybrid.

Why does it matter? Visually and dynamically, the PHEV will differ very little from the regular Sonata Hybrid, other than the tell-tale charging port. It will feature a 50 kW electric motor along with a conventional 2.0 litre four cylinder gasoline engine producing 154 hp and 140 lb. ft. of torque. Total output is 202 horsepower at 6,000 rpm. Reported fuel numbers are 2.5L/100 km combined while in pure electric mode, and 6.2L/100 km city / 5.5L/100 km highway and 5.9L combined in charge mode.

2016 Hyundai Sonata Plug-in HybridHyundai

When is it coming? Sonata PHEV and regular Hybrid are being produced in Korea’s Asan plant; and will arrive here at the end of the year.

Should you buy it? If you’re considering a PHEV, or hybrid vehicle, there are many compelling reasons t to consider the Sonata. An attractive and comfortable sedan, the Sonata PHEV offers impressive fuel efficiency and both are covered by Hyundai’s extensive warranty. — Lesley Wimbush

2016 Mini John Cooper Works Hardtop

What is it? The new 2016 Mini John Cooper Works Hardtop is being hailed as the most powerful and fastest Mini ever.

Based on the new-generation Mini Hardtop, the big news for the JCW version is a larger, four-cylinder gas engine. Borrowed from parent BMW, the JCW’s 2.0-litre with two turbochargers nets an all-time Mini high of 228 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque. Zero to 96 kilometres per hour takes only 5.9 seconds with the six-speed manual (an automatic is available) — 0.3 seconds quicker than the last JCW Hardtop. And with a top speed of 246 km per seconds, the new JCW Hardtop is also being hailed as the fastest Mini ever.

2016 Mini John Cooper Works Hardtop

John LeBlanc, Driving

2016 Mini John Cooper Works Hardtop

John LeBlanc, Driving

2016 Mini John Cooper Works Hardtop

John LeBlanc, Driving

2016 Mini John Cooper Works Hardtop

John LeBlanc, Driving

2016 Mini John Cooper Works Hardtop

John LeBlanc, Driving

Why does it matter? Mini sold over 32,000 cars globally last year, with the second-half of 2014 setting all-time records. The U.S. continues to be the BMW brand’s largest market, and the JCW models are being counted on to only add to those numbers. So like before, expect the JCW formula to be applied to the further Mini models, like the Mini 5-Door and future Mini Clubman and Convertible models.

When is it coming? The 2016 Mini John Cooper Works Hardtop should go on sale later in 2015.

Should you buy it? If you were planning on buying a Volkswagen GTI, the added performance of the 2016 Mini JCW Hardtop may make you think otherwise. — John LeBlanc